Dembele and Hakimi absent from PSG training, fitness doubts ahead of Champions League final vs Arsenal

Who: Paris Saint-Germain duo Ousmane Dembele and Achraf Hakimi. What: Both players missed PSG's public training session on Saturday, leaving doubts over their availability for the UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal on May 30. When: The absence was reported on May 25, with fewer than six days remaining before the final in Budapest. Why it matters: Dembele and Hakimi have been key contributors to PSG's run to the final, and their potential unavailability would force Luis Enrique to alter selection and game plans against Arsenal.

Why it matters

Hakimi and Dembele are among PSG's most influential attacking players. Losing either for the final would impact PSG's right flank balance, attacking width and ability to counter-attack. With the Champions League final a single match of huge consequence, last-minute fitness issues carry weight for both team selection and tactical approach.

What happened at the Poissy training session

PSG held a public session at their Poissy training campus that included a 40-minute internal scrimmage between a mixed first-team and academy group, followed by a fan meet-and-greet. Both Dembele and Hakimi were absent from the joint session and instead were reported to be doing individual training work.

Individual situations: Hakimi and Dembele

Hakimi: The right-back sustained a thigh injury during the first leg of PSG's Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich on April 28 and missed the second leg and PSG's final four Ligue 1 matches. L'Equipe is cited as saying Hakimi had been limited to individual work, with a return to full group training expected on Wednesday, May 27. The report states it is unlikely Hakimi will be fit to start in Budapest.

Dembele: The forward was substituted in PSG's final Ligue 1 match against Paris FC with tightness in his right calf and has also been working separately. Speaking to RMC Sport, Dembele described the issue as a 'little scare' and expressed confidence about being ready for the final, saying he chose not to take risks. The World Soccer Talk piece reports he remained on individual work on Saturday.

Implications for PSG's selection and tactics

If Hakimi is ruled out, PSG would lack his recent attacking threat from right-back and will need to rely on alternatives (the source notes Nuno Mendes and William Pacho have recovered from their issues, but does not confirm who would replace Hakimi). Dembele's absence would reduce PSG's direct dribbling and influence on the right side of the attack. Luis Enrique's preparation has included a managed schedule after a 13-day gap since PSG's last league match on May 17, which complicates match-sharpness for players returning from injury.

• PSG held a public training session at Poissy on Saturday with a 40-minute internal scrimmage.
• Achraf Hakimi has been doing individual training after a thigh injury sustained on April 28; L'Equipe says a full return expected May 27 but a start in doubt.
• Ousmane Dembele left PSG's final Ligue 1 game with right calf tightness and was working individually; he told RMC Sport he expects to be ready.
• PSG had a 13-day gap between their last Ligue 1 match (May 17) and the Champions League final (May 30), prompting careful conditioning work.

Next steps and what to watch

PSG are due back in training on Tuesday after two days off; L'Equipe's timetable suggested a possible group return for both players around Wednesday, May 27. Confirming whether Dembele or Hakimi take part in full training after that session, or an official PSG medical update, will be the clearest indicators of their chances to feature in the final on May 30.

What it means: If either player is unavailable, Luis Enrique will need to adjust his starting eleven and tactical plan for Arsenal. Given the single-match nature of the Champions League final, those decisions could be decisive to PSG's ability to match Arsenal's threat and compete for the trophy.